Extraction Of Metals

Question 1

What is oxidation ? Give one example

Answer 1

The process of gaining oxygen/ loss of electrons
2Mg + O2– 2MgO
We have oxidized the magnesium

Question 2

What is reduction ? Give an example of it (it’s the opposite of the oxidation reaction)

Answer 2

The loss of Oxygen/ gaining of electrons
2MgO—- 2Mg + O2
We have reduced the magnesium oxide

Question 3

What are some metals that we often find as pure metals

Answer 3

Gold because they are too unreactive too react with oxygen

Question 4

What’s the easiest way to get a pure metal ? (Reduction)

Answer 4

-React the metal oxide with carbon
Carbon should take the oxygen from the metal to form carbon dioxide

Question 5

What is the balanced symbol equation for carbon reacting with copper oxide ? What type of reaction is this.

Answer 5

2CuO +C—- 2Cu + CO2
It’s a reduction reaction
The copper has been reduced and the carbon has been oxidized

Question 6

What is the issue with using carbon to reduce metals ?

Answer 6

Only works with all the metals that are less reactive than carbon

Question 7

List the reactivity series ? Remember all 10

Answer 7

Potassium
Sodium
Lithium
Calcium
Magnesium
Carbon
Zinc
Iron
Hydrogen
Copper

Question 8

What is the method you would use to reduce the other metals ?

Answer 8

Electrolysis (another topic)
Requires a lot of energy ⚡️

Question 9

What is an ore ?

Answer 9

A metal rich compound